After years of delays and resident frustration, a major £30 million investment has been announced to finally kickstart the long-awaited regeneration of Morden town centre in South London.
A Long-Awaited Injection of Funds
Merton Council has committed £30 million to accelerate its "Remaking Morden" project, marking the most significant progress on the stalled plans for several years. The funding follows mounting concerns that major works could be pushed into the 2040s.
The council says the investment was made possible partly by the 2023 sale of a company it established, CHAS 2013 Ltd, which generated a one-off £186 million. This windfall has strengthened the council's finances and enabled extra funding for regeneration projects.
Vision for a Revitalised Centre
The council's vision for Morden includes creating a mix of independent and national retailers, fostering a daytime café culture, and developing safe evening venues. Plans also promise greener streets, cleaner air, and improved public spaces.
Next year, the Labour-led council intends to allocate the £30 million and is now seeking a private-sector development partner to lead the regeneration. However, the project has a troubled history.
Frustration and Setbacks
A September report by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) highlighted deep frustration among locals and business owners over the repeatedly delayed overhaul. Many had begun to doubt improvements would ever materialise after two decades of revised timelines and stalled progress.
Shopkeeper Anil Patel, who has run the Post Office and Londis on Crown Lane for 20 years, was blunt in his assessment. "If you have the afternoon off, Morden is the last place you would want to be," he said. "People are not stopping here, there is nothing to keep them here."
Others criticised congestion, narrow pavements, overcrowded bus stops, and heavy traffic. The issue is compounded by the fact that much of central Morden, including the area around the Charles Holden-designed Tube station, is owned by Transport for London's property arm, Places for London.
Political and Community Reaction
Political figures have echoed the community's impatience. Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler told the LDRS: "After more than 20 years of excuses, it is no wonder there is such deep frustration in Morden."
Merton's Liberal Democrat leader, Anthony Fairclough, cautioned that the latest announcement needed substance, saying: "It just feels like a relaunch of the same promises when, in reality, they just need to get on and do something."
The council has previously blamed external pressures, including the pandemic and TfL's financial difficulties, for the delays. A failed £20 million bid to the government's Levelling Up Fund in 2023 also slowed progress.
Small Steps and a Major Pledge
While major construction is yet to begin, the council has delivered smaller improvements through a 'Meanwhile Action Plan', including new benches, planting, and proposals for a pickleball court behind the station.
The £30 million pledge was announced by Council Leader Ross Garrod at the borough's Christmas lights switch-on last Friday. He stated: "This investment is about delivering real change. It is time to start a new chapter in Morden."
He outlined ambitions to create a thriving new neighbourhood, grow the local economy, help existing businesses flourish, and attract new shops and leisure activities. The council also promises new homes and plans that reflect Morden's character and heritage.
